News Talk Sauga 960 AM (CKNT-AM) Mississauga officially launched daily programming Monday morning, with its on-air lineup featuring Mike Bullard and former CRTC commissioner Marc Patrone, among other personalities.
The station soft-launched Sept. 4, nearly seven years after getting approval from the CRTC. Its owner Elliott Kerr also owns local OHL team the Mississauga Steelheads, which Sauga 960 AM is broadcast home to, as well as Landmark Sports Group which operates the Mississauga Marathon.
Joty Pannu, the station’s general manager, said up to this point the station has been test-driving a handful of shows as it looks to fill a localized hole in the market that’s reflective of the community.
“There is a lot of programming on other stations, but we want to talk about what’s happening in Mississauga and surrounding cities,” Pannu told Broadcast Dialogue. “There will be more changes and new programming based on the shows we have right now and what we see a need for in the future.”
A morning show has yet to be announced with the station’s current on-air schedule featuring The Marc Patrone Show from 9 – 11 a.m., focusing on politics and business. A broadcast journalist and columnist, Patrone served as CRTC commissioner from 2008-13 before taking a job with Sun News heading the specialty channel’s Western Canadian operations. He’s also been a commentator with Rebel Media.
Bullard will host drive-home show The Getaway from 4 – 7 p.m. with co-host Lawrence Morganstern, a Toronto-based writer and comedian. The show marks Bullard’s return to talk radio after he was relieved as host of Beyond the Mic with Mike Bullard on NewsTalk 1010 (CFRB-AM) Toronto in 2016, following allegations he later pleaded guilty to of harassing ex-girlfriend and CityNews reporter Cynthia Mulligan.
While some might consider Bullard a controversial hire, Pannu said the veteran talk personality plans to address his past head-on on-air.
“I think he’s a very nice man. He’s very excited about this and we’re very exited to have him on-air too,” said Pannu.
The Mid Day Show with Norm Murray and Martha Kruk features lifestyle and entertainment conversation from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Murray is a voiceover artist and former The Shopping Channel host, while Kruk’s background is in multimedia journalism.
Glen Foster, comedian and frequent guest on CBC Radio’s The Debaters, and Kingston, ON radio veteran Jodie Decker host 2 – 4 p.m.
Those not in the listening area, can tune in to Sauga 960 AM online at sauga960am.ca.
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